INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI INOCULATION AND PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER APPLICATOIN ON YIELD AND NUTRIENT CONTENT OF RED PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) IN A SEMI-ARID REGION

High soil pH coupled with low available soil phosphorus (P) and poor utilization efficiency of added P is a significant constraint limiting the productivity of irrigated crops in semi-arid regions. The aim of this three-years field study was to investigate the interactive effect of mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae) inoculation and phosphorus application on the growth, nutrient uptake and yield components of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The experiment was consisted of four treatments: i) control, ii) mineral-P fertilizer application, iii) mycorrhiza inoculation, and iv) mineral P + mycorrhizal inoculation. The lowest mean fresh fruit yield was measured in 2013, and the highest mean yield was obtained in 2014. Overall, the results indicated that mycorrhizal inoculation and mycorrhiza + phosphorus applications increased yield by up to 25% compared to the control treatment specifically in productive years. The number of spores in soil and pepper yield had a significant positive correlation. Moreover, mycorrhiza inoculation clearly increased plant Zn contents (only significant in 2014). Overall, the study suggest that inoculation of mycorrhiza may increase nutrient (P and Zn) uptake and fruit yield in P supplied pepper planted soils, however, the environmental factors seems to play an important role in controlling their interaction.